Van Von Hunter to be Published by Tokyopop
TOKYOPOP Inks Third Major Book Deal With Rising Stars of Manga Winner
North America's #1 Manga Publisher to Release Pseudomé Studio's Van Von Hunter
Los Angeles, CA (March 23, 2004)--TokyoPop Inc.'s national manga talent search has led to the signing of Pseudomé Studio-one of the prizewinners from its first Rising Stars of Manga competition. Pseudome's Mike Schwark and Ron Kaulfersch will create a full-length series based on Van Von Hunter, their comedy-filled contest entry. These manga-ka will have the honor of joining other past Rising Stars winners Lindsay Cibos and M. Alice LeGrow, whose manga series are also scheduled to be published by TOKYOPOP.
"From the very first pages of their winning story, Pseudome's Ron and Mike clearly showed their talent and sense of humor," said Mark Paniccia, editor of TOKYOPOP's Rising Stars of Manga anthologies. "When we got up off the floor from laughing so hard, we wanted to see more. The result is a hilarious book that spoofs all the manga conventions we know and love."
Fans of Pseudomé Studio's web comic (www.vanvonhunter.com) will recognize the laugh-out-loud blend of hilarity and adventure of legendary Van Von Hunter, hunter of evil...uhm... stuff! Along with an amnesiac sidekick, the renowned Hunter nobly strives to kick some butt and return harmony to the twice-peaceful land of Dikay. Readers will experience the entire silliness in manga form when Van Von Hunter releases in early 2005.
Creators Schwark and Kaulfersch began their artistic endeavors in the mid '90s and formed Pseudomé Studio to help house their future projects. "We are, of course, thrilled to have the opportunity to work with TOKYOPOP on creating an original manga," said Kaulfersch. "Moreover, it's a distinct honor to be working with a company that distributes so many highly regarded manga titles. And we're very much looking forward to providing the highest-quality product TOKYOPOP and its customers expect."
In just a few weeks, TOKYOPOP will announce the winners of its third Rising Stars of Manga competition and plans to kick off a fourth contest in June.
ABOUT TokyoPop Inc.
TokyoPop Inc. is the leading North American publisher of manga, the fastest growing segment within the publishing industry. With exclusive rights to hundreds of licensed and original book, video and music properties, the company has rapidly become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP has millions of books in print and publishes many hit manga series, including Love Hina, Chobits, Rave Master, Initial D, GTO, Battle Royale and Cowboy Bebop. The company pioneered Cine-Manga(tm), releasing such titles as Finding Nemo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Lizzie McGuire, Astro Boy and Transformers: Armada. TOKYOPOP television properties include Rave Master, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror. The company has also expanded its presence as a licensor, representing merchandising rights for Rave Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and others. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.
North America's #1 Manga Publisher to Release Pseudomé Studio's Van Von Hunter
Los Angeles, CA (March 23, 2004)--TokyoPop Inc.'s national manga talent search has led to the signing of Pseudomé Studio-one of the prizewinners from its first Rising Stars of Manga competition. Pseudome's Mike Schwark and Ron Kaulfersch will create a full-length series based on Van Von Hunter, their comedy-filled contest entry. These manga-ka will have the honor of joining other past Rising Stars winners Lindsay Cibos and M. Alice LeGrow, whose manga series are also scheduled to be published by TOKYOPOP.
"From the very first pages of their winning story, Pseudome's Ron and Mike clearly showed their talent and sense of humor," said Mark Paniccia, editor of TOKYOPOP's Rising Stars of Manga anthologies. "When we got up off the floor from laughing so hard, we wanted to see more. The result is a hilarious book that spoofs all the manga conventions we know and love."
Fans of Pseudomé Studio's web comic (www.vanvonhunter.com) will recognize the laugh-out-loud blend of hilarity and adventure of legendary Van Von Hunter, hunter of evil...uhm... stuff! Along with an amnesiac sidekick, the renowned Hunter nobly strives to kick some butt and return harmony to the twice-peaceful land of Dikay. Readers will experience the entire silliness in manga form when Van Von Hunter releases in early 2005.
Creators Schwark and Kaulfersch began their artistic endeavors in the mid '90s and formed Pseudomé Studio to help house their future projects. "We are, of course, thrilled to have the opportunity to work with TOKYOPOP on creating an original manga," said Kaulfersch. "Moreover, it's a distinct honor to be working with a company that distributes so many highly regarded manga titles. And we're very much looking forward to providing the highest-quality product TOKYOPOP and its customers expect."
In just a few weeks, TOKYOPOP will announce the winners of its third Rising Stars of Manga competition and plans to kick off a fourth contest in June.
ABOUT TokyoPop Inc.
TokyoPop Inc. is the leading North American publisher of manga, the fastest growing segment within the publishing industry. With exclusive rights to hundreds of licensed and original book, video and music properties, the company has rapidly become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP has millions of books in print and publishes many hit manga series, including Love Hina, Chobits, Rave Master, Initial D, GTO, Battle Royale and Cowboy Bebop. The company pioneered Cine-Manga(tm), releasing such titles as Finding Nemo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Lizzie McGuire, Astro Boy and Transformers: Armada. TOKYOPOP television properties include Rave Master, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror. The company has also expanded its presence as a licensor, representing merchandising rights for Rave Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and others. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.
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